Thought for the Day

If Jimmy Carter believes that the “overwhelming” portion of criticism towards Barack Obama is due to racism, does he also believe that the overwhelming portion of criticism towards Israel is anti-Semitic? Wouldn’t that apply to a man who hangs out with people who target Israeli citizens for terrorist attacks? After all, Hamas regularly issues anti-Semitic harangues and smears, and yet Carter has no problem cozying up to them and claiming that their criticism of Israel is legitimate.

The race card is a two-edged sword, to mix metaphors. And when you use the term "overwhelmingly", you expose yourself as someone desperate to handwave away any and all criticism by labeling it, rather than considering it. And Carter’s association with those who spew actual racist rhetoric is charmingly ironic.

Is 60% of America really racist? Do you really believe that? No, I don’t think Jimmy Carter really believes that. Assuming intelligence on his part, it can only be cover that he giving to Obama to try to marginalize critics. And it’s not working, as the numbers continue to drop for the One.

8 Comments

I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African American

He did not say a majority of Americans opposed to Obama’s policies are racist. He said that an overwhelming (“Overpowering in thought or feeling”) portion of the “Intensely demonstrated animosity” towards Obama is based on the fact that he’s a black man.

Like Carter, I come from the south. I can’t speak for elsewhere, but here, there are STILL overwhelming pockets of racism. As a result, overly harsh and out of proportion criticism is thrown towards our African American brothers and sisters.

Carter is responding to the disproportionate venom being spat upon our president. I don’t know that he could fully defend his position or attach any numbers to it, but then, he has not suggested a majority of Americans are racist. He has not said anything about numbers. He’s spoken of the overly harsh and crazy-sounding criticism (“he’s not an American,” “he’s a socialist!” “He’s a nazi!”) and if he is wrong, he is not far wrong.

That racism, in connection, still exists, and I think it’s bubbled up to the surface because of a belief among many white people, not just in the South but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country.

You’re attributing, I think, your own thoughts to Carter’s words. He does not mention the extreme positions; he decries the racism of “many white people, not just in the South but around the country”.

Nobody is suggesting that racism has been done away with; it is this year what it was last year. But for a former President to speak out on these issue would not be, in my mind, because of a vocal minority that has been with us for decades. The vast majority of protesters are not saying anything racist, but Carter is painting with a very broad brush.

And again, odd that terror groups that actually do spew specifically racist propaganda are the guys he cozies up with.

Funny. Accusing Carter – easily the Best Ex-President and most ethical president in our lifetime – of racism and “cozying up with” terrorist groups.

You may not like his politics, but the man is a man of peace and integrity on a par with hardly any other politicians. Reagan, Bush, Bush, Clinton, they all quit politics and proceeded to engage in million dollar speeches and a life of ease. Carter engaged in building houses for the poor and working for peace.

Most of us will have a ways to go before we ought to presume to think negatively of that man’s honor or integrity (and I certainly don’t agree with everything Carter does or has done, but please, the man has demonstrated he is the real deal).

Are you really that unaware of the way he has planted himself firmly on the side of terrorists and anti-Semites like Hamas who call for the annihilation of Israel and spew racism even in things like chidren’s shows? And at the same time he stands against the state of Israel, who give Arabs far more rights in its borders than Arabs give Jews? And he has the gall to sound concerned over what he perceives as racism while defending groups who are openly racist?

This isn’t funny. It’s ironic at best. Who know what it is at worst.

I agree, Carter has been one of the best former Presidents we’ve had. His non-political work, as with Habitat for Humanity, is an example to all. But when he ventures back into the political, he’s completely upside down. His work with Habitat doesn’t exonerate the foolishness he exhibits in Middle East affairs. Supporting blatant racists abroad while condemning perceived racism here demonstrates this. Being “the real deal” doesn’t change this.

Hamas constantly barrages Israel with missiles (well, except when Carter visits). They produce boatloads of anti-Semitic material even, as I noted, children’s shows. Their charter calls for the annihilation of Israel.

And Carter spends all his speaking time and book writing mostly attacking Israel, with very little about those who are bent on destroying every Jew they see. He’s not just “associating” with them, he’s utterly on their side. He supports them and has little to nothing to say good about Israel in the peace process. Elliot Abrams has a good rebuke of Carter in this op-ed from earlier this month. Carter sees only one side of the story.

I take it by your thoughtful response “HAAA!” that you didn’t read the article.

If you’ll notice, I most specifically denied that “hanging out” with sinners is wrong. Can you get beyond that, Dan? He’s essentially advocating, in the written and spoken word, that the tax collectors should be allowed to steal and shame on you honest taxpayers for not wanting to; you’re not helping the peace process!

And you’re also misreading me. I didn’t say that Carter “endorses” racism or terrorism. I did say that he advocates solely on their behalf in the Middle East. Well, unless you think Hamas isn’t racist or aren’t terrorists, which, if you do, makes the rest of your points more understandable.

I am not apologizing. I stand by my comment is that a guy who advocates for blatant racists and terrorists, to the exclusion of a nation that only defends when attacked, is pegging the Irony Meter when he condemns perceived racism here.

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